Jordan Anthony and Masai Russell shines at Rod McCravy Memorial Meet

Sprinter Jordan Anthony and sprint hurdler Masai Russell were among the standout performers for Kentucky at the 2023 Rod McCravy Memorial Meet, held over two days (Friday and Saturday) at UK’s Nutter Field House.

Senior Russell sped to an impressive win in the women’s 60m hurdles — setting a new personal-best time of 7.88 seconds, which is the second-fastest in Kentucky school history, and just .01 off of Keni Harrison’s school record.

Harrison’s time was the winning time in the 2015 NCAA final. Russell’s performance also ties for No. 10 in NCAA history and it is also the nation’s fastest mark in the early stage of the 2023 indoor season. Read more: Abby Steiner wins 400m in season opener with 51.70

Russell defeated World Indoor silver medalist and Olympian Devynne Charlton from The Bahamas who ran 7.98 seconds for second place with Ohio State’s Marcia Sey clocking 8.40secs for third place.

Meanwhile, Jordan Anthony got the Wildcats career off to an impressive start on Saturday after he won the men’s 60-meter dash.

Anthony, who is also a freshman wide receiver on the university’s football team, clocked 6.57 seconds –setting a UK freshman record and the second-fastest in school history behind Wildcat Olympian Tim Harden. Anthony was also in spanking form in the heats, clocking 6.59secs to top the list of qualifiers.

Anthony, also helped Kentucky win the 4×400-meter relay –teamming up with Kennedy Lightner, Brandon Miller and Wayne Lawrence Jr. to clock a time of 3:11.64.

Russell was part of the Wildcats team that finished second in the women’s contest, posting a time of 3:36.36. Ohio State (3:34.84) won the race with a team of professionals, including world championships gold medalist Abby Steiner and Charlton, getting second.

Steiner, a former UK standout, returned to action for the first time since winning two gold medals at the 2022 World Championships — clocking a time of 51.7 seconds to dominate the women’s 400m dash.

PHOTO: Masai Russell of Kentucky in action at the 2023 Rod McCravy Memorial Meet. Photo by Ethan Rand/UK Athletics